Overview
- A peer-reviewed Cell paper published in June 2026 analyzed 311 postmortem brains and found more acquired (somatic) mutations in Alzheimer’s samples, with recurrent hits in TET2, DNMT3A, and ASXL1.
- Many of the same cancer-associated mutations appeared in matched blood samples, suggesting expanded blood cell clones may enter the brain and adopt microglia-like roles.
- Single-cell analyses showed the mutations were enriched in microglia-like immune cells rather than neurons, linking the genetic changes to the brain’s immune compartment.
- CRISPR-edited human iPSC-derived microglia-like cells carrying those mutations adopted inflammatory and proliferative gene programs associated with neurodegeneration, providing functional support for a mechanism.
- Authors stress the work shows association not proof of cause and call for animal models, longitudinal human studies, and evaluation of blood-based screening and repurposed drug strategies as next steps.